Watt-hour meter



R. M. LEIPPE WATTHOUR METER Sept. 7, 1943.

Filed Jan. 26

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INVENTOR' @aim/Zegna ATTORNEY .j L .i UNITED. gSii-1r..Tir:

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 WATT-HOURMETE nu` Richard M.'Leippe, EastOrange, VN. J., assignor to Westinghouse Electricl & .Manufacturing "Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania f Application January 26, igo, serial No. 315,694

3 claims. (erin-264) conjunction This invention relates to electrical instruments and it has particular relation to electrical measuring instruments of the watthcur meter type.

In the copending application ofv Walter G.

Mylius, Serial No.226,621, led August 25, 1938; which has since matured intorU.l S. Patent No.`

2,240,666, granted May 6, 1941", an improved adjustment unit particularly suited for polyphase watthour meters is disclosed. rAlthough this unit has proven toy be a desirable advance over the prior art, I have 'foundV it possible to eieot still further vimprovements therein.'

' Said Mylius application disclosesl a phase balance ortcrque adjustment anda light load adjustment.- The phase balance or torque adjustment is eiectedbyasubstantially rectangular magnetic plate which is moved relative to-the magnetic core of an electromagnet with'which it is associated. The light-load adjustment isl eifected/ byan electroconductive segment which is rotate'd across a face of the magneticplate,

yIn accordance with this invention, therange of adjustment of va watthour meter vfor phase balance or torque is increased substantially by modifying the form" dfithezphaseV balance plate. Instead of a rectangular magnetic plate, va substantially U-shaped magneti'cplate isremployed. The `configuration of i the magnetic plate is so selected that magnetic material is introduced into a magnetic'core, or removed therefrom, at such a rate that' arsubstantiallyilinear adjustment is 'lli which:

Figure 1 is a `view hour'meter electromagnet embodying my inve'n'l tion; 52 I J Fig. 2 is a view` in bottomplan of the electror` magnet illustrated in Fig. 1;-v if Fig. 3 is a detail view in bottom plan of a phase or torque balance element' embodyingmyzinvention;

Fig. 4 is a graphicalview adjustment of torque or'phase balancepl'ates;

and4 Fig.5 iis an outline viewin front elevation of vention.

Referring to the drawing, netic meter core I, which maylbe kof the type having a potential pole 2 and current poles'3,

a polyphase meter assembly embodying my 1in-1 'all located above a :magnetic ux return member or keeper 4. LFor further details of this well known core, reference may be'made to Patents -ing such'y cores for phase balance, I mount' a magneticelement or plate 5 of material, such as soft iron, for reciprocation in a recess vizprovided in the keeper 4. Thisfmagnetic element may beretained "more securely iffthe coacting obtained. ,Moreoven the phase-balance magnetic plate is adjusted by a device or screw soconstructedthat the position of the magnetic plate isV readily apparent by an inspection of the ad? justment device. `When .adjustment screws are to-be mounted externally ora meterv core, lprefer'- ably they are mounted dissymmetrically in order to provide adequate clearance for the screws when two coresare closelyassociated ina poly` phase meter. A,

AIt is, therefore, Aan object' of my invention to provide a phase or torque balance vadjustment for a measuring instrument which khas a'substantially extendedrrange of adjustment. j

It is a further object of my invention to vpro# vide an adjustmentunitfor an electrical measuring instrumentwhich makes eflieient use of the ship. "A construction of'the't'ype thusfar dei 35 edges oftherecesses 6 and the plate arebeveled to' provide'jan overhanging or dovetailed relationscribedv is illustrated in the aforesaid Patent 1,702,450. y f y If amagnetic element 'o'fl substantially rectangular form is employed, a linear adjustment for phase or torque balancel isnot obtained. This is for the reason that a'movement'of the mag# ne'tic element results in uniform withdrawalof magnetic material from ther magnetic core with which Vthe element is associated. For initial stages of movement, the change int'orquefor a given movement is much smaller than for subsequent-stages of ymovement of the magnetic member; `'Ihe performance of such a magnetic element iS shown more clearly in Fig. 4, wherein ordinates represent percentage of normal, fullload torque developed by a watthour meter unit, and abscissae represent movements of the magnetic element away 'from its maximum torque position, or turns of an adjusting screwemploy'ed for moving the element. In Fig. 4, the

curve A illustrates the performancefof a magnetic element having a rectangular outline.j It will be noted that the curve A is not linear in shape and that the range of adjustment is somewhat restricted for a given rotation ofthe ad# justing screw. v l

withthe yacccmpanying drawing, in

in front elevation of a watt;

showing ranges f of" Fig. l'rshows a niag-v which are united over awportion onlyjgfftheil. 4 lengths by a bridging Dart 5c, The elongmledy arms guide the element in the the entire movement thereof. e'conguration ss -throughoutf f is such that for initial withdrawalv of thema'lg# netic element 5,*a greater proportion of magnetic material is removed from themagnetic core I `than for subsequent withdrawal of the magnetic eleelement would have a torque variation from 100% to 92% for the same :rotation of theiadjusting screw.. I The linearity of adjustment andthe extended range of adjustment both are of great value in watthour-meters. f

Errors in light-load performance ofra meter maybe corrected rby means of a segment 'l ofan electroconductive vmaterial,v such as brass, which may be rotatedacross the face of the potentialV pole l2 vfor shadinga portion of thelpole face. VIt

should 'benoted that the segment 1 overliesl the magnetic element '5. A-rotatabl'e electroconductive armature or disk D is positioned between the segment 1 and the poles 2, 3.. y,

It win be acted that the ,potenzia-i1 'pcie 2 is By proper selection of the coniguration" surrounded by a potential winding y2a and the current poles -3 -are surrounded -by cur-rent windings 3a. When these windings are energized iin accord-ance with the :potential and current of -an alf ternating current circuit, a shifting magnetic eld isjproduc-ed in the vgap between thepoles and the keeper 4. vAs well-understood inthe art, this shifting magnetic -el'd operates to rotate the disk D which maybe mechanically connected lby gearf ingto a suitable register (not shown)V vfor integrating watthou-rs or any other suitable quantity.

Y Rotation ofthe `segment I across the potential pole 2 changes the extent of its shading action and, consequently, `var-ies the lightloadtorque appliedto the disk .-D. v A l Both the element 5and the segment 'I rare mounted ony a .single supporting member having a .pair of projecting slotted arms 9,. IThe `supporti-ng member may be.aixed to the .core I .by inserting thearms 9 throughopenings I0' provided in the keeper 4 until `the slotted portions of the arms 9 emerge on the opposite Aside -of Ythe keeper. The supporting member may be held in this position in anysui-table way asby deforming the slottedendsof the arm 9. If desired,l a protective plate 8a may be .interposed between the upset or deformed ends of the arms 9 and the keeperl.. For adjusting the magnetic element 5, an adjusting :screw .I=I is .provided which is -adjustably mounted a dang@ 42 carried by the supporting member 8. llt-he flange i2is provided withga threaded opening for engaging the threads of the adjusting screw I I. Consequently, rotation of the adjusting screw II moves the screw axially relative to the flange I2.

At one end, the adjusting screw II is provided with a reduced portion I3, which passes freely `through an opening provided in a ange I4 car-v riedrby the magnetic `element 5. The exposed end of the adjusting screw I I may be upset to preventaXia-l movement of the adjusting screw rela- 'ftive to the-'magnetic element 5.

A screw-driver slot 176. may' be provided in the head of the adjusting screw II for facilitating rotation thereof. With the partsv related as described, when the adjusting Ascrew' I I is rotated, the adjusting screw moves 'axially relative to the flange I2 and carries the magnetic element 5 towards or away from the magnetic core I. Since the screw I I and the magnetic element 5 move together, the distance from the head'of the screw to the flange I2 is ameasure of the `position of the magnetic element 5. 1

The electroconductive segment 1 for light-load adjustments is carried by a studV -shaft I1 which .is rotatably mounted on the supporting member 8. Consequently, by .rotating'the stub shaft I1, the segment 1 may be-positioned as .desired to control the light=loadcharacteristics of the meter. To this end, a flat,vexible and .resilient ann I8 is 'attached toa portion of the stub shaft v1 which projects from` the supportingmember. Asl i1- lustrated, `the stub shaft `I 'i extends through spacing washers IIaand .Hb and. is attached to the arm I8 in any suiftablefmanner as by upsetting theend I'Icthereof or by soldering lthe arm thereto. v 1

f The'position ofthe arm |18 is determined by an adjusting screw- I9 which is carried :by Vtwo nangesZO and ZI formedonthe supporting member 2l. rIThis screw I9- is provided withjan enlargedhead 252, having a screw-driver slot 23, and with an .upset end 2i4 for. 4preventing 'axial movement. of the "screwiarelative '.to thesupporting member The'screw I9 'extends freely through openings' providedin the angesiz 'and 2I 'so thatthe screwcan be rotated as desired.

@Forfengagingthearm 18, the adjusting screw I9 .carries a threadedcarriage'block' 25 which isprovidedwithV an annular lgroove The free end` of the arm I8 is slotted to vforma fork 21 which is received inthe annular groove 2B'. The fork 21 isfof'such length that movement ofthe carriageblock 25 along lthe screw does not withdraw 'the' carriage block from engagement with the fork.Y F

It will' be notedthat the screw I9, the carriage block 25 and the arm I8 are twisted about an axis extending between the carriagev block 25 and the stub shaft II'whenthe parts are in the position illustrated in Fig'. 2. This twisting may be lfor providing* desired clearance between the light-load adjusting mechanism and other portions of the meter assembly. In addition, the twisting of the arm I8 is employed for providing a locking action for the carriage block.

When the varml I8 is in its original free position, it offers a flat surface which is substantially :parallel to 'the lower edge of .the core I. When the arm I8 is twisted as'illustrated in Fig. 1,V the resilience of the arm tends .to urge ror bias the .arm vand the 'carriage block with which it is associated to their original positions. Because of this biasing action, the arm I8 maintains 'a rm engagement between the carriage block 25 action tend .to eliminatelost motion, but'it tends assenze` to retain the carriage block in any position to which it is adjusted. j I.

Itis believed thatgthe operation of the parts thus far described is apparent. plained, rotation of the adjusting screwv II adjusts the magnetic element 5 to correct the phase or torque balance of the meter. In a similar manner, rotation of the adjusting screw I9 operates through the adjusting armv I8 and the stub shaft I1 attached thereto to rotate the electroconductive segment. l, and consequently adjusts the meter for light load. l

It will be noted that the adjusting screw II and I9 both extend acrossaan external edge of the core I. This extension provides an extended range of adjustment and at the same time makes most efficient use of the space available inthe meter assembly. Y,

My invention is particularly adapted for polyphase watthour meters of the compact type disclosed in the Bradshaw Patent 2,081,981. Such a .polyphase watthour meterV is illustrated in outline in Fig. 5. It will be noted that in this con- 1 struction, one of the cores I is inverted to bring the keepers 4 of the two cores adjacent each other.v Since each of the adjusting screws II is displaced from` the verticall center line of the meten the two adjusting screws II` and I9 for the polyphase. meter are. brought into side-byside relationship. This association of parts is made possible by the clearance present under the arm I8. If the two adjusting screws II and I9 were symmetrical relative to the centerline of the meter cores I when the meter cores areasv sociated as in Fig. '5, the ad-justing screws on one core would be directly beneath the adjustingr screws on the other core. This would seriously reduce the-vertical space available for each of the adjusting screws. By separating the screws,

t 1 as illustrated in Fig. 1V, and by providing the 1 necessary clearance beneath the arm I8, applicant is able to place all iour'of'the screws in Fig. 5 in the restricted space availablebetween the two cores without unduly restricting the sizes of the various parts. l

The side-by-side relationship of the screws II in Fig. 5 is desirable from another viewpoint.

As above explained, the distance of thehead of each screw II to its ange I2 is an indication of the position of the magnetic elementl 5. When the screws II are in the position illustrated in Fig. 5, a mere inspection of the screws indicates the relative positions of the two magnetic members 5 associated therewith.

The various parts employed for attaching the member 5 `and the segment 'IY to the meter core,

and for adjusting the member and segment, may

be constructed of any suitable material, such as l bronze or brass.

aconiigura'tion such that equal'actuation-s of said adjusting means produce substantially equal alterations in said torque over `the entire operating range of said adjusting means.

2. In an electrical measuringv instrument,y av l iirst electro-magnet assembly including Aa ma-4 netic corehaving an air gap vbordered by currentl and potential pole pieces, current-.and potential lwindings associated lwith said pole'pieees kfor proy Y ducing, when energized, a shifting magnetic field in said air gap, an electroconductive armature mounted for rotation in said air gap under the y influence of 1saiclmagnetic field, and adjusting means for said electromagnet assembly including an adjustable phase balance magnetic eiement and a rst adjusting screw member 'for adjusting said magnetic element, said screw member being positioned externally of said magnetic core and extending across a first peripheralsurface of'said magnetic core in adirection substantially transverse to theplane oi the core; a second electromagnet assembly substantially vsimilar to said nrs-'t' electromagnet .assembly but inverted vrelative thereto with the iirst peripheral surface ofvsaid electromagnets adjacent each other to denne a space therebetween, the first adjusting membersof said electromagnets being disposed substantially in'side-by-side relationship in said space; and a second adjusting means for each of said electromagnets having a second adjustl ing screw member positioned in said space, the

second adjusting memberon said first electro- 'magnet having a flat pivotally mounted `operating arm extending between therst peripheral a surface of said rst electromagnet and the iirst rvadjusting member of the second electromagnet,

` .and means in threaded engagement with.v said k ysecond adjusting screw member for converting movement of said last-named means axially of .the associated screw member into pivotal adjusting movement of the associated operating arm.

3. In an electrical watthour meter, an electromagnet assembly including a magnetic core havj ing an air gap bordered by rcurrent` and potential pole pieces, and Aenergizable means cooperating'- 'with said current and potential pole pieces for producing, when energized, a shifting magneticA e'ld in said air gap, an electroconductivearm-ature mounted Afor rotation inl said air gap under the inuence of` said. magnetic field, and adjustl ing means for said electromagnetic assembly including a supportingfstructure associated with said electromagnet, a pair offadjusting screws mounted for rotation inrsaid supportingstructure, said adjusting` screws being positioned externalto said magnetic core andl extendingl across Aa 'peripheral surface of said magneticcore inca direction substantially transverse to the plane` of said magneticjcore, a phase balance magnetic element reciprocable in said air gap, means ref sponsive tofrotation of a first oneof saidl adjustrst one of said adjusting screws,` a light loadV` adjusting element positioned in said air` gap, and

means responsive to yrotation of ra second one of,l

ingscrews for reciprocating said `phase balance Yma-gnetic element,.said phase balance magnetic element having a cross-section transverse tothe direction of-Yreciprocationwhicnvaries in value atvdifferent points along said direction of recip- 'rocation to provide a substantiallyflinear phase balance adjustmenty relative to rotation of said said adjusting screws for rotating said light load `make torque balance adjustments for said watthour meter, and adjusting means for moving said magnetic element, said magnetic element having adjusting element. l f

RICIIAlEtD` M. LEIPPE. 

